How do I change a flat tire?

f you get a flat tire when driving, do not apply the brake heavily. Instead, gradually decrease your speed. Hold the steering wheel firmly and slowly move to a safe place on the side of the road.

Have a flat serviced by an authorized dealer to prevent damage to the system sensors.  See   Tire Pressure Monitoring System Precautions.  Replace the spare tire with a road tire as soon as possible. During repairing or replacing the flat tire, have the authorized dealer inspect the system sensor for damage.

Note:   

• The use of tire sealant may damage your tire pressure monitoring system and should only be used in roadside emergencies.
• The tire pressure monitoring system indicator light illuminates when the spare tire is in use. To restore the full function of the monitoring system, all road wheels equipped with tire pressure monitoring sensors must be mounted on this vehicle.

Wheel and Tire Change Procedure

1. Park the vehicle on a level firm ground and activate the hazard flashers.
2. Apply parking brake, turn the engine off and set up a warning triangle.
   
3. Block the wheel diagonally opposite the flat tire. For example, if the left front tire is flat, block the right rear wheel.

Note: Passengers should not remain in the vehicle when the vehicle is being jacked.

Removing the Vehicle Jack and Tool Bag

The jack, wheel wrench, and jack handle are located in the rear storage compartment.

1. Lift the load floor assembly.
2. Remove the locking strap and remove the tools.

Removing the Spare Wheel and Tire

1. Assemble the wheel wrench and the winch extension tool.
   
2. Insert the assembled wheel wrench and winch extension tool into the guide hole and make sure it correctly aligns. Turn counterclockwise until the wheel rests on the ground, and there is slack in the cable.
   
3. Pass the bracket and cable through the wheel opening.
   
4. Vehicles with steel wheels, remove the center cap by pulling off or using an object to pry the cover off. Loosen each wheel lug nut one-half turn counterclockwise, but do not remove them until the wheel is raised off the ground.
   
5. Vehicles with aluminum wheels, loosen each wheel lug nut one-half turn counterclockwise, but do not remove them until the wheel is raised off the ground.

Note:   

• If the spare wheel is not the same type and size as your vehicle road wheel, drive the shortest distance possible.
• Do not fit more than one spare wheel on your vehicle at any one time.
• The usage of a dissimilar spare wheel or tire at any one wheel location can lead to impairment of the handling, stability and braking performance, comfort and noise.
• When driving with a spare wheel and tire, do not switch on four-wheel drive mode unless you need to get your vehicle unstuck.
• The spare wheel and tire are located underneath the rear of the vehicle.
• Do not use power tools on the spare wheel winch input drive.

Removing a Road Wheel and Tire

WARNING:  

• Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of the vehicle close to moving traffic. Pull far enough off the road to not obstruct the flow of traffic and avoid the danger of being hit when operating the jack or changing the wheel.
• Make sure that the wheels are pointing straight ahead.
• If your vehicle has an automatic transmission, shift into park (P), apply the parking brake, and switch the vehicle off.
• To help prevent your vehicle from moving when changing a wheel, use an appropriate block or wheel chock to secure the wheel diagonally opposite to the wheel being changed. For example, when changing the front left wheel, place an appropriate block or wheel chock on the right rear wheel.
• Make sure that your vehicle is on firm and level ground with the front wheels pointing straight ahead and set up a warning triangle if available.
• Never place anything between the vehicle jack and your vehicle.
• Only use the specified jacking points. If you use any other locations you could damage vehicle components, such as brake lines.

Note:   

• No maintenance or additional lubrication of the jack should be required with normal use over the service life of your vehicle.
• Jack at the specified locations to avoid damage to the vehicle.
• Only use the jack on the specified jacking points and as close to the affected wheel as possible.

Front Jacking Points Without Fuel Filter

Front Jacking Points With Fuel Filter

Rear Jacking Points

1. Place the vehicle jack at the jacking point next to the tire you are changing.
   
   Note: When you are changing the front flat tire, connect the jack handle to the jack. Operate the jack handle with lug nut wrench.
2. Assemble the jack handle, including the required extension tubes depending on the position you are jacking, and turn the jack handle clockwise until the wheel is completely off the ground.
   Note: When changing the rear flat tire, connect all the handles together to extend the jack handle.
   
3. Remove the lug nuts and the road wheel.

Installing a Spare Wheel

WARNING:  

• Use only approved wheel and tire sizes. Using other sizes could damage your vehicle.
• Do not fit run flat tires on vehicles that were not originally fitted with them. See an authorized dealer for more details about compatibility.
• Make sure there is no grease or oil on the threads or the surface between the wheel studs and the wheel nuts. This can cause the wheel nuts to loosen while driving.
• Do not install alloy wheels using wheel nuts designed for use with steel wheels.
• Have the wheel nuts checked for tightness and the tire pressure checked as soon as possible.

Note:  

• Make sure the wheel and hub contact surfaces are free from foreign matter.
• Make sure that the cones on the lug nuts are against the wheel.

1. Install the spare wheel, making sure the valve stem is facing outward.
2. Install the lug nuts and finger tighten. Do not fully tighten the lug nuts until the wheel has been lowered.
3. Lower the vehicle completely by turning the jack handle counterclockwise.
   
4. Remove the jack and fully tighten the lug nuts in the order shown.  See   Wheel Nuts. 
5. Position the projection of the cap and the projection of the hub correctly.

Stowing the Flat or Spare Tire

1. Lay the wheel and tire on the ground, near the rear of the vehicle, with the valve stem side facing up.
2. Slide the wheel and tire partially under the vehicle and install the retainer through the wheel center. If equipped, you may have to remove the wheel center cap prior to pushing the retainer through the center of the wheel. Vehicles with aluminum wheels remove the center cap, press it off with the jack tool from the inner side of the wheel. Pull on the cable to align the components at the end of the cable.
3. Insert the handle into the guide hole and engage the winch.
4. Turn the wrench clockwise until the tire is raised to its stowed position underneath the vehicle. The wrench becomes harder to turn and the spare tire winch ratchets or slips when the tire is raised to maximum tightness. A clicking sound is heard from the winch indicating the tire is properly stowed.
5. Carefully place all tools back to the tool kit bag.
6. Reinstall the tool kit bag in the original position.
7. Reinstall the jack properly on the bracket and secure the wing nut.
8. Unblock the wheel. Place the warning triangle back in the vehicle.

Note:   

• Do not use power tools on the spare wheel winch input drive.
• Only use the spare tire carrier to stow the tire and wheel combination provided with your vehicle. Other tire and wheel combinations can cause the tire carrier to fail.

For information specific to your vehicle, enter your vehicle year and model in the Owner Manual Information. For further assistance please speak to your local dealership.